On May 14, 2026, law enforcement officers were dispatched on a report of a domestic violence incident in progress at a home in the area of 31st Avenue South in Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota. Upon arrival, officers located an adult female, "Victim" herein, outside of the home. Victim [NAME REDACTED] was unsure where her adopted son, RYAN MATTHEW NOVAK-HOFF ([DOB redacted]), "Defendant" herein, is. Victim [NAME REDACTED] on to report that she had gotten into a verbal argument with Defendant as she wanted Defendant to leave her property.
Defendant then began physically assaulting Victim, [NAME REDACTED] into a headlock and strangled Victim. Victim [NAME REDACTED] was cut off. Victim was able to get away, and went to the backyard. Defendant chased Victim, and continued to assault Victim by punching Victim with a closed fist and again placed Victim in a headlock. Victim [NAME REDACTED] was using both his hands and forearms for pressure around her neck and was able to escape the headlock. Victim also reported that she felt that if she wasn't able to escape, Defendant could have killed her.
Victim [NAME REDACTED] has been assaulted by Defendant in the past and is fearful of Defendant. Security footage of the incident was later obtained by law enforcement and showed the incident. Defendant can be seen hitting Victim repeatedly with a fist in the home, the Victim then flees to the backyard, and Defendant can be seen following Victim to the backyard and continuing the assault and placing her in a headlock. Law enforcement later conducted an interview with Defendant on May 27, 2026, where Defendant reported that he acted in self-defense following an argument with Victim.
Defendant admitted to punching Victim [NAME REDACTED] in a "choke hold." In a review of Defendant's criminal history, it is determined that Defendant has the following convictions: Criminal Sexual Conduct in the Second Degree, with a conviction date of December 30, 2025, as outlined in MNCIS File ••-CR-25-••••. Defendant also has an adjudication of delinquency for a Misdemeanor Domestic Assault, with a disposition date of May 11, 2021, as outlined in MNCIS File ••-JV-20-•••. The State's understanding is that Defendant is presently in-custody in another county, and thus respectfully requests this complaint issue as a warrant.
Further, the State respectfully requests heightened bail given the allegations and concerns for the safety of Victim [NAME REDACTED].
